Carl Newman rambles eloquently on playing The Game, ever-weirder ways to write songs and always sounding new

By Jim Phillips

If ours were a truly civilized society, Carl Newman would be King. For now, he is front man and chief songwriter for the Canadian pop band The New Pornographers. I had the pleasure of speaking with him last week as he took some time off during the band’s North American tour.

Hotpants and Ironic Facial Hair

All this hipster rigmarole and so much more awaits you! Snugfit Social Club dance party returns with DJs Paul, Brandon and Ethan plus live electro by The Booty Green. Friday, Sept. 21, at The Launchpad (21+). $4 at the door. Get down. [LM]

Pianist/vocalist Joan Stiles brings new ears to old tunes, and she offers originals that honor the past without solemnizing it. The smile begins with her exuberant opening collage, “The Brilliant Corners of Thelonious’ Jumpin’ Jeep,” and continues to widen. From solos to sextets, Stiles finds new ways to honor Ellington, Hodges, Monk, Rowles, Waller and Williams. She captures the pathos of “’Round Midnight” without over-romanticizing it, plays “Jitterbug Waltz” as if she’d just got some tremendously good news and rejoices in the second line of the remade bop classic “In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee.” [MM]